Joseph “Joe” Earl Helton, Sr.

Joseph Earl Helton, Sr., 90, lovingly known as “Joe”, passed away on Wednesday, January 06, 2016.

Memorial Service: Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 11:00AM at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, 1300 Columbus Avenue, Waco, TX 76701 with Rev. Ken James officiating and the United States Navy Honor Guard performing military honors.

Joe was born January 21, 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Carl, Sr. and Ruth Williams Helton. Shortly after high school Joe joined the United Sates Navy and served his country honorably during WWII as a Radio Operator. Upon coming back home he went on to attend SMU, studying Civil Engineering. Joe graduated from SMU in 1950 with his Bachelor’s degree. Joe married the love of his life Betty Jane Stalcup on December 20, 1947. He worked for several years for ARAMCO in Dhahram, Saudi Arabia. Betty and Joe moved to the Waco area in 1974. He spent his remaining years working for TSTC (formerly TSTI), as Chairman for the Civil Engineering Department. Joe was devoted to his students, even writing a book that has been used to teach from for many years. Joe also had numerous pieces of poetry that were published. Joe and Betty have been active members of Columbus Avenue Baptist in Waco. Joe enjoyed the outdoors and numerous sports. He had many good friends from the tennis court and gained even more in the cycling world. Joe challenged himself as a cyclist in the “Hotter Than Hell” race. Joe was also passionate about his family and spending time with them, he built a basketball court in their back yard, and they enjoyed many games together. It was an important achievement for Joe to teach each of his children and grandchildren to play chess, and it was a challenge to see who could win. Joe thrived on gaining knowledge from reading; his book collection is 300 strong. Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Ruth Helton, Sr.; brother, Carl Helton, Jr.; and sister, Earlyne Mauldin.

Joe leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 68 years, Betty J. Helton; children, Beverly Howard and her husband Johnnie of Helotes, TX, Stephen Helton and his wife Carolyn of Heltom City, TX, Dwight Helton and his wife Laura of Boerne, TX, and Joseph “Jody” Earl Helton, Jr. and his wife Cynthia of Fort Worth, TX; grandchildren, Kevin Howard and his wife Darla, Kim Howard, Colin Helton, Jon Helton, Julie Helton, Chris Helton and his wife Melissa, and Delilah Wachman; 8 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; along with numerous other loving family members and friends.

Memorial donations in Joe’s memory should be made either to TSTC Civil Engineering Dept or The Michael J. Foxx Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.